Robert S. Hillers, 87, of Fayetteville passed away on October 6, 2016. Born in Vermont, he was raised in Potsdam and Ogdensburg, NY. He left the North Country to play hockey, run cross country and have a great time with Theta Chi at Colgate University. Graduating in 1951 sent him into the Korean War as a 1st Lt, serving on the front line for over 100 consecutive days, awarded a Bronze Star and a Combat Infantryman’s Badge. After being honorably discharged from Army Infantry active duty, he was promoted to Captain in the Army Reserves and went into the insurance business with Connecticut General.
No stranger to enjoying life, Bob met and married the love of his life, Eleanor Marsh, and they began their journey. They settled in Syracuse and he started serving his community as a Northdale Elk, Viceroy, Shriner, Jester and served on the boards of: Transitional Learning Services, Junior Chamber of Commerce (President Jaycees in 1961), Syracuse Life Underwriters, Charter Life Underwriters, St. Mary’s Hospital Advisory Board, Masonic Order-Manlius, Scottish Rite-Syracuse, Kachina-Syracuse, Sunrise Rotary, Planned Parenthood, Colgate Alumni Association, The Manlius Military Lodge, The Syracuse Interreligious Council, the St Thomas Episcopal Church Vestry and Christ Church Manlius Vestry. Landslide Hillers even took a stab at politics, becoming a County Legislator for one term in 1967 winning by 36 votes. In 1971, he took the plunge and opened his own insurance agency, Consumers Brokerage Agency, later changing the name to Hillers & Wagner Insurance Agency. NY Farm Equipment Dealers Association was important to him both professionally and personally. He served as a volunteer on the committees that instituted fluoride in our drinking water, the supplementation of the water supply by piping from Lake Ontario, raising the salaries of the police and fire departments in Onondaga County during the 60’s. He did this all while raising hell and a family.
Bob lived life to the fullest on his terms. To him, life was about striking a balance between working hard, making the world a better place, being altruistic and have a lot of fun with the people he loved. He was chairman of the Vision in Missionary campaign for Episcopal Diocese of CNY, which helped the impoverished people of Haiti. Upon retirement, he served as Chairman of the Board for OCRRA when ground was broken on the trash burning plant, a culmination of 30 years of seeking solutions for Onondaga County’s garbage challenge and traveled the world with Ellie. Bob was a fierce competitor, whether it was playing golf or pitch at the Cavalry Club, or playing cards or dominos with his grandchildren.
Bob’s greatest gift was that of himself. He had a strong sense of civic duty and character rooted in fairness, honor and compassion. He was so loved for his deep commitment to his family and his friends and has left this world a better place. Bob is predeceased by his wife, Ellie; his parents, Francis Joseph (Butch) and Barbara Hillers of Odgensburg; and his brother, John of Scotia. He is survived by his daughters, Hunter Hillers (Austin George), Ellen Hillers (Philip Patterson), Kimberle S. H. Cowley (Eric Cowley), son, Robert Hillers (Colleen Kearns); grandchildren, Rachael Ristau, August George, Joshua and James Hillers, Nika, Kyla and Lana Patterson, Hannah and Oliver Cowley; sister-in-law, Grace DeGraff Hillers of Wayne, PA (formerly of Scotia, NY); a nephew, nine nieces and their families; and his Thanksgiving family.
Bob’s family would like to acknowledge with appreciation the loving care provided by his helpers and nurses: Seth Nourie, Wilma White, Bernie, Cassie, Jan and Fallon over the last four years, as well as the wonderful care and empathy of the entire staff on the 4th floor of Crouse Hospital.
Services will be held on Friday, October 14 at Christ Church, 407 E. Seneca St.(Route 173), Manlius. Calling hours at church between 10am-Noon followed by the memorial service at Noon. Bob made an anatomical gift to Upstate so future burial will be in Christ Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s honor may be made to the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, 1 Children’s Circle, Syracuse, NY 13210. www.upstatefoundation.org or the Fayetteville Memory Garden found on www.Facebook.com